Pompey Penalty-Fest

The string of strangeness surrounding United away matches at Pompey continues, albeit this time with an excellent-but-misleading 4-1 score line.

Today’s action included three penalties, thirty-eight shots at goal, seven yellow cards, a Rooney hat trick, and Giggs’ 100th Premiership goal.

So many intriguing subplots to this story, but first, let’s start with poor Pompey.

Not long ago, Pompey celebrated a FA Cup triumph and faced a remarkably sunny future. Maybe a spot in Europe, the supporters must have dreamt during that off-season.

But oh, football can be such a cruel mistress.

Soon Harry Redknapp departs, serious financial turmoil sets in, and a talent exodus from the club leads to seven points from thirteen matches, complete with The Grim Reaper returning to manage their football fortunes.

And then today’s match kicks off.

Pompey looked nothing like a bottom-dwelling club, as they hit twenty-four attempts at goal, forcing seven, often excellent, saves from Tomasz Kuszczak, who made a strong case for the number slot behind van der Sar.

Only poor quality finishing, especially from Aruna Dindane, kept the score line from becoming a nip-and-tuck goal fest. If, and it’s a big “if”, Pompey can find any finishing to accompany such spirited efforts, they will avoid the drop. But, what are the chances they’ll unearth this elusive goal scoring form? Not good.

Beyond my obvious soft spot for Pompey supporters, the United side of this drama was no less intriguing. But first, the refereeing takes center-stage, as much will be written about the curious penalty decisions given by Mike Dean.

When did you last see three – count ‘em – three penalties in the same match?!

Both sets of supporters were absolutely incredulous after the match. In my humble view, the Rooney penalty would be called in a typical match, but surely none thereafter, especially the astounding call against Vidic. It’s the type of argy-bargy that occurs during each and every corner. So, why call it now?! Guilt is no excuse, Mr. Mike.

Football pundits will question Dean’s decision making over and over again ad nauseam in the coming week, which only stirs up more vitriol and ultimately places more pressure on refereeing. Which is too bad because it could overshadow some remarkable performances by four United players.

Kuszczak was brilliant, as mentioned earlier, in keeping United from falling behind, as were Rooney, Giggs, and Valencia.

Rooney’s second hat trick in the Premier League will likely be viewed as extremely easy, since he netted two goals from the spot and the third was a mere tap-in. Rooney will quickly point out the critical role his teammates played in the goals. But regardless, Rooney led the line well today and his performances clearly demonstrate how he relishes leading the front line. This form bodes well for United and England in the coming months.

Next up is our Evergreen leader, the man pushing hard for a knight-ship, the future Sir Ryan Giggs.

How fitting that Giggs’ 100th Premier League goal should come off a set piece that showcased that magic left boot of his. He’s almost thirty-six years old and still routinely outclasses almost everyone on the pitch, almost everyone except Antonio Valencia.

Valencia was electric today, as the ESPN commentators noted throughout the match. It is indeed rare today to see a player with so much pace and such a willingness to run at defenders. Valencia is emerging as the critical wing presence for United, one sorely needed to open up play from the more traditional formations employed this year.

Today’s 4-3-3 in all reality played much more like a 4-4-1-1, with added pressure on Valencia to link play from a forward wing position, a feat more difficult than linking play in the hole behind Rooney.

Early on, the formation seemed to play into Pompey’s hand, with United finding the link forward difficult, but that gradually changed with each and every ball played into space for, or each run around a defender from Valencia. Giggs and Valencia on the wing has quickly become Sir Alex’s favorite combination, whether employing a 4-4-2, 4-5-1, or 4-3-3 of sorts, such as today.

Now, we look to see who will emerge as an heir-apparent for our Welsh Wizard on the left, that’s the next question to play out over the remainder of the season between Obertan, Park, and Nani. Consider the right-side taken by Antonio Valencia.

It wasn’t easy today, but it never really is for United at Fratton Park, with a hat trick, three penalties, three points, and a plus-three goal differential to create a curiously odd symmetry to ponder until next week.

Back at you after the West Ham match. Cheers.